Big Kahuna Triathlon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Brianna H.
San Francisco, CA

  (05-05-2010)

"Not gonna lie- since this is my first half I was pretty bummed about the swim cancellation and the fact I can\'t officially say I\'ve joined the 70.3 club. There are no stickers that say 69.1!!

With that said the race directors handled the situation well and we started the race with the run from the beach to the transition area and it was just tacked on to our overall bike time.

I had done the bike course before with a training group and during our practice run there was a GREAT deal of headwind on the way out and tailwind on the way back. During the race we had barely any wind on the way out though, and I actually felt a bit of headwind heading back. Much better race conditions and I finished the bike about a half hour under what I expected.

Both the bike and run were beautiful, scenic courses with the sparkling beach at our side and really cool views of the Santa Cruz boardwalk in the home stretch.

The most interesting part of this race is the final stretch on the sand which is much longer than you initially expect (I was also told by 2 people the run officially clocks in at 13.44mi). People are playing in the water, kids are everywhere, and you\'re just struggling to run by the tiki torches to follow the way to the finish with the least amount of deep sand as possible. So many supporters are gathered at that point though and cheering you on that it really does feel amazing!

The volunteers at the water stops and along the course were amazing and so supportive. My friends and I were also talking post-race about the random 7 year old kid who was standing at a point on the bike cheering everyone on all alone- kind of strange but such a nice surprise!

GO TEAM!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Sean G.
Palo Alto, CA

  (11-10-2009)

"What a bummer! The race was scheduled to start at 7 am on Oct 25? Sunrise was 7:27. Once it started to get light the fog (fog in Santa Cruz?) became a problem. The swim was cancelled for safety reasons which actually was the right thing to do but better planning would have allowed for the swim to happen. By the time the relay swimmers (I was one of them) were given the gun to run from the beach to the transition area it was a beautiful day. A credit for next years race for those of us that paid $110 to run from the beach to the parking lot would make me feel much better and mostly out of principal. I sent two emails requesting one and did not even get a response! I understand acts of "nature" but this was an act of ignorance. I guess I could enjoy the t-shirt....but what will I say when people ask about the race?"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Lauren S.
San Francisco, CA

  (11-06-2009)

"Half IM is LONG! The swim was cancelled due to heavy fog in the morning, but the weather was BEAUTIFUL for the bike and run. Long run on concrete/roads to the transition area from the beach, hoefully next time they will clear out the dog droppings and rocks along the way.

Bike course is absolutely beautiful and relatively flat. Course is NOT closed to traffic, so passing on the bike can be a bit hectic. Wind is at your back on the return trip, so it's okay to go out harder on the first half.
Run is an out and back on road, some dirt, and bike paths. Aid stations every mile with friendly and helpful volunteers. Run ends on the beach in a dramatic, but not cleared finish. There were lots of people/athletes walking and standing in the 'course'.
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Melinda L.
San Francisco, CA

  (11-04-2009)

"Big Kahuna is by far one of my favorite 1/2-Ironman courses. The swim is around the Santa Cruz Wharf, which makes sighting really easy. As other reviewers have mentioned, the swim was cancelled this year on account of the fog. This has not happened in the previous two times I've raced Big Kahuna, as the race typically is held in September. The transition area is a bit of a jog away. I've found that my feet are usually too numb to feel the concrete though.

The bike course is absolutely gorgeous! Love riding along the coast. Lots of rollers out to the lighthouse and back. Beware of the train tracks... make sure to go perpendicular to the tracks! The run course goes along the beach and then off on a trail. Once back in town, it goes along the beach. Try to run close to the water where the sand is more packed.

The race is relatively small so the expo is small. The crowds are pretty small too... although the Team in Training people are great at cheering! One thing I really like is that they give out women's technical t-shirts. Not a fan of the men's cotton t-shirts. "

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

David N.
San Francisco, CA

  (10-28-2009)

"Big Kahuna is always a blast. This year was a little disappointing since the swim was cancelled. What were they thinking...it was only a little fog ;)

Both the bike and run are out and back courses.

As always the bike was great. They always have plenty of aid stations along the route. You do have to watch out for the railroad tracks. They can be a little tricky.

Last year I was not so keen on the run. I sprained my ankle around mile 4 and limped along until mile 8 where a friend caught up with me and gave me some advil (ah the wonder drug).

This year I was feeling strong and was really able to appreciate the fact that you get to see all of the people you know whether they are ahead or behind you."

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Adam R.
Davis, CA

  (10-26-2009)

"Fantastic race. Plenty of aid stations, good organization. The swim was canceled due to heavy fog, but that was out of the hands of the coordinators.
The transition area was more crowded than transition areas usually are (racks too close together)."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Geoff L.
San Mateo, CA

  (10-25-2009)

"With the race fresh in my mind, I wanted to hurry up and review. Unfortunately, we had to skip the swim this year due to heavy fog causing poor visibility. Although a huge disappointment, the race directors took it in stride and formulated a quick plan that went smoothly. Most people were understanding and there was little grunting. The bike course is a scenic one with MANY rolling hills along highway one. Personally, i felt the course was a fast one..at least on the way out(although i probably hammered too hard as evident on my split coming back). (I've also never done a duathlon)

Anyway, the bike course was well organized with many capable volunteers at the aid station. The traffic was not a factor as policemen and volunteers were numerous.

The run was mostly uneventful, but dodging tourist on beach cruisers was not fun. Most were fairly aware of our presence tho. Again the volunteers were great and cheered with the utmost enthusiasm. Also, i was very impressed with my fellow triathletes and level of support in lifting each other up.

The transition area was "meh" as the racks definitely could have been spaced out further.

Also, i agree with previous reviews of Hammer products...If i do this again, i think i'll invest in a fuelbelt.

Overall a good race. I HATE the packet pick up process...what is with races nowadays?...if you are going to make us drive down the day before, at least make the expo worthwhile...if i wanted to go to buy something, i'd rather just go to sports basement, not a sports basement tent. just my thought...

thats all for now...i have to go swim 1.2 miles. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Dennis M.
San Francisco, CA

  (08-11-2009)

"Swim: Wave start on the beach. Water is mild, with little current or chop. Pier is right there next to you, so sighting is easy.

T1 involves a run up the beach and down a street. Not long, but longer than most. There are water buckets to wash your feet off when you get to T1.

Bike: Awesome course. After some residential pedaling the course opens up to some beautiful views. Course can be windy and there definitely are some hills, but I'd still say it's a pretty fast course.

Run: Awesome! Starts with an uphill, then you run along the coastline (on a sidewalk overlooking the water), then transition to a dirt course that's got a little elevation in it, but not much. Feels like a fast cross country run.

The last half mile or so is ON the beach. So save a little bit for the finish, you'll need it."

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2008

Mike S.
San Francisco, CA

  (08-10-2009)

"Beautiful scenery, fast course. Strong head wind out on bike but strong tail wind on return as well. Use your aeros. Pack anything you need, I wasn't impressed with the aid stations. The run is gorgeous! "

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2006

Kevin H.
San Francisco, CA

  (06-08-2009)

"Beautiful course, great finish on the beach with a great food layout and live music."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Jeremiah S.
San Francisco, CA

  (04-23-2009)

"It's a solid 70.3, but nothing too fantastic. The swim seemed a bit short to me, but that could be because I was swimming for my life to avoid the sea lions on the pier. The bike is about as flat as you can find locally, and is almost all aerobars. The run was quite warm, and my friend measured it out at 14 miles, so a bit long. The turnaround always seemed too far away..."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2007

Paul M.
san francisco, CA

  (04-23-2009)

"I really liked this race. It was my first half-IM distance race, and I couldn't have asked for more. The scenery on the bike ride and the run was fantastic - bluffs on the California coast. AND they hand out AMAZING burritos at the finish, mmm

A few things I didn't like:
- not super organized (at least when compared to M-dot races)
- they used Hammer products which are gross
- the swim is not the most fun - santa cruz water is cold, choppy and dirty
- the beach finish is kind of evil
- not many hotels/restaurants near-by

Overall, I really liked this race (even though I said more negatives). It is a cost-effective half-IM distance race from which I still vividly remember the views."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Gregory L.
San Francisco, CA

  (04-23-2009)

"The big kahuna triathlon is one of the best known tris in northern california, which means you get a good mix of newbies all the way up to the pros. Overall it's a very good race.

The swim is in the pacific ocean, which can be a bit chilly, but not too bad when combined w/ santa cruz weather :).

The bike portion of the race is not too challenging, mostly rolling hills but it can get a bit annoying because you're riding on highway 1 w/ traffic ideally in as close to single file order as possible. That day there also happened to be a MASSIVE headwind on the way out. Biggest issue for me was that the mile markers weren't consistent. I believe they missed the 40 mile marker.

The run made up for it, beautiful and scenic along the coast. Only downside was the use of hammer products which are GROSS IMHO.

But w/ a little tweaking this could easily become a great race, and with it's great proximity to the bay area, I'm sure i'll be back again."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008